Kurt Workholding has introduced an air-actuated pallet for 5-axis workholding. The pneumatic pallet offers Kurt customers a turn-key automated 96 mm zero-point mounting system that can be operated using the switch on the pallet or configured for remote or fully automated use. Kurt PFW 5-axis vises with 96 mm pull stud locations are suited to this system.
The Kurt APW420 Pneumatic Pallet is designed to be mounted on a machine table with two through bolts. Industry-standard 96-mm spaced pull studs hold vises in place. Setting up the system requires only shop air and a Kurt filter regulator lubricator unit. Additional accessories can be added to a set-up depending on the needs of the shop. A remote switch can be added outside of the machine, or an operator can simply lock and unlock a vise using the built-in switch on the base. A fully automated set-up can be achieved by using additional solenoids and a machine tool controller, robot or PLC.
"I am especially excited about the pneumatic pallet," said Chuck Milam, Sales Manager, Industrial Products, Kurt Manufacturing. "This is an affordable, off-the-shelf option for Kurt customers and for our Custom Engineered Team when designing automated machine tended systems to swap multiple 5-axis vises in and out of machines."
Once the Kurt APW Air Pallet is mounted in a machine, it takes only seconds to lock in or remove a vise from the base. The pallet is designed to work equally well for rapid manual machine set-ups or multivise automated machine tending. New robot-ready Kurt PFW420, PFW440 and PFW460 5-axis vise models dock on the pallet using four pull studs with 96 mm spacing and offer enhanced design and construction for CNC workholding. Kurt PFW vises have 4" wide jaws and come in three sizes with openings between 2.625" and 6.625". The Air Pallet's 96 mm universal pull stud spacing also accommodates non-Kurt brand 5-axis vises.
"Our new vise and pallet options represent a shift in the way we are thinking about product design and compatibility," said Jeff Lenz, Executive Vice President, Proprietary Products, Kurt Manufacturing. "The zero-point lineup allows customers to mix and match pallets and vises for quick setups and more flexibility. We are also bringing 96 mm mounting to more traditional machining vises like the DX6 so that this system will work across multiple machine applications."
The APW420 Pneumatic Pallet is part of a range of new zero-point pallets Kurt recently introduced. Designed as a comprehensive mounting system for the wide-body 5-axis vise models, four additional pallet options are available, including: two manual pallet sizes with a 96 mm pattern and one with a 52 mm pattern and one quick-change mechanical-button-release pallet.
For more information contact:
Kurt Workholding
9445 East River Road NW
Minneapolis, MN 55433
877-226-7823
workholding@kurt.com
www.kurtworkholding.com